The Older Workers Workgroup is composed of a diverse array of professionals in the fields of aging, health care, workforce, research and education. Workgroup member profiles are listed below. The Workgroup Planning Team represents the two organizations responsible for the 2009 Older Workers Workgroup: the Illinois Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Education and Research Center and Health & Medicine Policy Research Group

For more information on the Workgroup including membership, please email Kristen Pavle at Health & Medicine Policy Research Group.

Planning Team

Marsha Love, MA, MA

Illinois Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Education and Research Center

-We conduct research and education projects to protect the health and safety of health care workers

-I work with unions, worker centers, non-profit organizations, and community organizations to advocate for safe working conditions. I focus on the needs of aging workers, health care workers, and immigrant workers. My function is to provide technical support, locate resources, develop curriculum, conduct educational sessions, and assist in research on worker health and safety issues for these groups of workers.

-Our department can provide resources about a range of health and safety issues affecting older healthcare workers

-In 2010 we will be coordinating and conducting a train-the-trainer pandemic flu prevention project with homecare workers, which we will be pleased to share with this group

Joseph Zanoni, PhD Candidate, MILR

Illinois Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Education and Research Center

-I serve as Associate Director of Continuing Education and Outreach and am responsible for creating needs assessments, along with implementing and evaluating continuing education events related to occupational health

-We have conducted research programs with home care workers looking at bloodborne pathogen exposures and want to expand our work to include issues related to other occupational health issues, wellness and the aging of the workforce.

-Our colleague, Dr. Naoko Muramatsu is continuing her inquiry on wellness and slips, trips and falls with homecare workers

Kristen Pavle, MSW

Policy Analyst

Health & Medicine Policy Research Group: Center for Long-Term Care Reform

-As HMPRG’s Center for Long-Term Care Reform works towards reforming the existing long-term care service structure in Illinois, an integral piece will be the long-term care workforce.  A large part of long-term care reform in Illinois means creating more home and community based services(HCBS) options.  As HCBS increase, we must ensure a well-trained workforce to serve our older adults who need long-term care services and supports

Members

Cynthia Germain

Executive Director

Continuing Education Institute of Illinois

-We plan, implement and evaluate all continuing education programs and projects throughout Illinois

-We offer a number of programs that focus on issues of older adults

-We have offered a program on Older Workers and Work Injuries

Linda B. Roberts, MSN, RN

Manager

Illinois Center for Nursing (ICN), IL Department of Financial & Professional Regulation Division of Professional Regulation

-ICN Mission: to advocate and ensure for the appropriate nursing resources necessary to meet the healthcare needs of the citizens of Illinois.

-Projects: working with regional partners on initiatives supporting various ICN goals to recruit and retain nurses in nursing practice to provide quality patient care.

Susan Aarup

-I am interested in the recruitment and health of older workers who are assisting people who have disabilities to live independently in their own homes.

-The person with the disability should be involved in all aspects of the care plan and their decisions should be honored. I think showing how the caregiver can work with the client to build better relationships and better long-term care outcomes so that the person who is giving the care and receiving are both benefitting.